Corrosion of metals and alloys — Overview of metal corrosion
protection when using disinfectants
Corrosion des métaux et alliages — Vue d'ensemble de la protection contre la corrosion des métaux lors de l'utilisation de désinfectants
TECHNICAL
REPORT ISO/TR
7655
First edition 2022-03
Reference number ISO/TR 7655:2022(E)
ii
ISO/TR 7655:2022(E)
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© ISO 2022 – All rights reserved
ISO/TR 7655:2022(E)
Foreword ...iv
Introduction ...v
1 Scope ...1
2 Normative references ...1
3 Terms and definitions ...1
4 Overview ...2
5 Corrosivity and main properties of commonly used disinfectants ...2
6 Good practice for metal corrosion protection when using disinfectants ...6
6.1 General ...6
6.2 Corrosion hazards ...6
6.3 Corrosion protection measures...6
Annex A (informative) Overview of test methods to determine the corrosivity of disinfectants ...9
Annex B (informative) Commonly used disinfectants for disinfection of infectious disease ...10
Bibliography ...42
Contents
PageISO/TR 7655:2022(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 156, Corrosion of metals and alloys.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv © ISO 2022 – All rights reserved
ISO/TR 7655:2022(E)
Introduction
This document provides information on protection against metal corrosion risks when disinfectants are used in response to infectious diseases.
Governments, regulatory agencies and other professional organizations around the world have issued guidelines in response to pandemics, but these contain no specific information on metal corrosion protection when using disinfectants.
This document provides supplementary information intended to help organizations, families and individuals, as well as other stakeholders, take more effective actions to prevent users from being injured and reduce or avoid possible risks of metal corrosion during the use of disinfectants.
TECHNICAL REPORT ISO/TR 7655:2022(E)
Corrosion of metals and alloys — Overview of metal corrosion protection when using disinfectants
1 Scope
This document provides an overview of the corrosivity of disinfectants and corrosion protection when using disinfectants, including an overview of test methods that can be used to determine their corrosivity.
This document is generic and applicable to organizations of all sizes in all industries, as well as to families and individuals, and it is intended to assist in determining appropriate health and safety measures regarding the use of disinfectants.
The resolution of security issues related to the use of disinfectants is outside the scope of this document.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1organization
company, corporation, firm, enterprise, authority or institution, person or persons or part or combination thereof, whether incorporated or not, public or private, that has its own functions and administration
[SOURCE: ISO 30000:2009, 3.10]
3.2risk
combination of the probability of occurrence of harm and the severity of that harm [SOURCE: ISO 15188:2001, 3.6]
3.3disinfectant
agent capable of causing disinfection [SOURCE: ISO 15190:2020, 3.8]
3.4corrosivity
ability of an environment to cause corrosion of a metal in a given corrosion system [SOURCE: ISO 8044:2020, 3.14]
ISO/TR 7655:2022(E)
3.5corrosion protection
modification of a corrosion system so that corrosion damage is reduced [SOURCE: ISO 8044:2020, 5.1]
3.6common areas
spaces and amenities provided for the use of more than one person
Note 1 to entry: Canteens, lifts/elevators, stairs, reception areas, meeting rooms, areas of worship, toilets, gardens, fire escapes, kitchens, fitness facilities, store rooms, laundry facilities.
[SOURCE: ISO/PAS 45005:2020, 3.11]
4 Overview
4.1 Disinfecting is an important process of defending against infectious diseases, which can corrode metals. When disinfecting, avoid corrosion, injury and, if possible, discomfort to individuals, damage to the environment that can affect public health and damage to baggage, cargo, containers, vehicles, articles and mailbags.
4.2 Guidance on disinfection for the prevention of infectious diseases provided by public health agencies can include information on the corrosivity to metals.
4.3 Professional disinfectant-related institutions can provide detection methods of metal corrosion caused by various types of disinfectants under different testing or application conditions, and reports on corrosion tests for commonly used metals for public use or reference.
4.4 Disinfectant manufacturers can test the corrosivity of their products to metals and clearly note it on their instructions, provide corrosion data of their products to commonly used metals and put forward protective measures for reference.
4.5 When disinfecting, organizations, families or individuals, use disinfectants according to the relevant guidance documents and product specifications on metal corrosivity. Corrosion risks cannot be neglected and effective measures are important to avoid corrosion hazards; disinfection service providers are commonly required to receive training in the safe and effective use of disinfectants to avoid corrosion.
5 Corrosivity and main properties of commonly used disinfectants
Commonly used disinfectants can be classified by active ingredients into alcohol disinfectants, halogen disinfectants, peroxide disinfectants, guanidine disinfectants, phenol disinfectants, quaternary ammonium disinfectants and other disinfectants; classified by use into object surface disinfectants, disinfectants for medical items, air disinfectants, hand disinfectants, skin disinfectant, mucous membrane disinfectants, and disinfectants for infectious focus; classified by the microorganism killing ability into high-level disinfectants, intermediate-level disinfectants and low-level disinfectants.
Annex B provides an overview of the physical and chemical properties, types, disinfection mechanisms, application scope and methods of disinfectants commonly used in infectious disease disinfection.
Usually, peroxide disinfectants and halogen disinfectants are highly corrosive to metals in the range of their disinfection concentration. In general, the corrosivity increases with the strength of oxidation and acidity.
The corrosivity, active ingredients, main properties, uses, application methods, etc., of commonly used disinfectants are shown in Table 1.
© ISO 2022 – All rights reserved
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ISO/TR 7655:2022(E)
Table 1 — Corrosivity and main properties of commonly used disinfectants Type
Active ingredi- ents of com- monly used products
diz-abil-Oxi- ity
Alkalinity
or acidity a Corrosivity to
metals b Main uses Application methods
Aldehyde
Formaldehyde No Acidic
The presence of small amount of formic acid in for- maldehyde solu- tions can corrode metals.
Disinfection of ob- ject surfaces and medical devices, etc.
Immersion Fumigation
Glutaraldehyde No Acid, neutral
or alkaline Corrosive to car- bon steel
Disinfection of medical devices, etc.
Immersion Wiping
Peroxide
Peracetic acid Yes Acidic
Slightly corrosive to stainless steel, alloy steel and chrome-plated metal, and heavily corrosive to com- mon metals such as iron, copper and aluminium.
Disinfection of object surfaces, medical devices, air and infectious focuses, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying Fumigation
Hydrogen per-
oxide Yes Acidic Corrosive to met-
als
Disinfection of object surfaces, medical devices, skin and mucosa, air and infectious focuses, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying
Ozone Yes Neutral Corrosive to met-
als
Disinfection of object surfaces, medical devices, air and water, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying
Chlorine dioxide Yes Acidic
Strong corrosive to aluminium, low alloy steel and carbon steel, and moderately cor- rosive to stainless steel.
Disinfection of object surfaces, medical devices, air and infectious focuses, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying
Electrolyzed oxidizing water
(EOW) Yes Acidic
Corrosive to cop- per, aluminium and carbon steel, and not obviously corrosive to stain- less steel
Disinfection of object surfaces, medical devices, skin, hands and infectious focus- es, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying
Potassium
monopersulfate Yes Acidic Corrosive to met- als
Disinfection of object surfaces, medical devices, skin, water and infectious focus- es, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying
a Alkalinity or acidity refers to that of commonly used disinfectant products.
b Metal corrosivity is usually graded as no obvious corrosion, mild corrosion, moderate corrosion and heavy corrosion;
there is no unified corrosion classification standard for disinfectants so far, which will be developed in the future; in the table, "corrosive to metals" only indicates the existence of metal corrosion, as a warning when using disinfectants; the specific corrosion classification is related to the standards used in the test, the type of metal materials used, test conditions and the basis for evaluation.
ISO/TR 7655:2022(E)
Type
Active ingredi- ents of com- monly used products
diz-abil-Oxi- ity
Alkalinity
or acidity a Corrosivity to
metals b Main uses Application methods
Halogen
Sodium hy-
pochlorite Yes Alkaline Heavily corrosive to aluminium, steel and carbon steel, and mod- erately corrosive to stainless steel, which can cause hydrogen embrit- tlement or stress corrosion crack- ing of stainless steel.
Disinfection of ob- ject surface, water and infectious fo- cuses, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying Calcium hy-
pochlorite Yes Alkaline
Chlorinated so-
dium phosphate Yes Alkaline Sodium di-
chloroisocya-
nurate Yes Acidic
Trichloroisocya-
nuric acid Yes Acidic
Iodophor Yes Alkaline Slightly corrosive to aluminium and stainless steel
Disinfection of medical devices, skin and mucosa, etc.
Immersion Wiping Iodine tincture Yes Alkaline Slightly corrosive
to aluminium and stainless steel
Disinfection of medical devices, skin and mucosa, etc.
Immersion Wiping
D i b r o m o d i - met-hylhydantoin
(DBDMH) Yes Acidic
Slightly corrosive to copper, alumin- ium and carbon steel
Disinfection of object surfaces, medical devices, water and infec- tious focuses, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying
Bromochlorodi- methylhydanto-
in (BCDMH) Yes Acidic
Slightly corrosive to copper, alumin- ium and carbon steel, and almost corrosion-free to stainless steel
Disinfection of ob- ject surfaces and water, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying
Alcohol
Ethanol No Neutral No obvious cor-
rosivity
Disinfection of ob- ject surfaces, skin and hands, etc.
Wiping Spraying
Isopropyl alco-
hol No Neutral No obvious cor-
rosivity
Disinfection of object surfaces, medical devices, skin and hands, etc.
Immersion Wiping
Chlorhex-
idine-ethanol No Alkaline No obvious cor- rosivity
Disinfection of object surfaces, medical devices, skin and hands, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying
a Alkalinity or acidity refers to that of commonly used disinfectant products.
b Metal corrosivity is usually graded as no obvious corrosion, mild corrosion, moderate corrosion and heavy corrosion;
there is no unified corrosion classification standard for disinfectants so far, which will be developed in the future; in the table, "corrosive to metals" only indicates the existence of metal corrosion, as a warning when using disinfectants; the specific corrosion classification is related to the standards used in the test, the type of metal materials used, test conditions and the basis for evaluation.
Table 1 (continued)
© ISO 2022 – All rights reserved
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ISO/TR 7655:2022(E)
Type
Active ingredi- ents of com- monly used products
diz-abil-Oxi- ity
Alkalinity
or acidity a Corrosivity to
metals b Main uses Application methods
Phenol
Phenol No Acidic No obvious cor-
rosivity
Disinfection of ob- ject surfaces and skin, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying Halogenated
Phenols No — No obvious cor-
rosivity
Disinfection of ob- ject surfaces, skin and hands, etc.
Immersion Wiping Guanidine Chlorhexidine No Acidic No obvious cor-
rosivity
Disinfection of object surfaces, skin, hands and mucosa, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying Polyhexameth-
ylene guanidine
(PHMG) No — No obvious cor-
rosivity
Disinfection of object surfaces, skin, hands, air and water, etc.
Quaternary am- monium salt
Double-chain quaternary am-
monium salt No —
Not obviously cor- rosive to copper and stainless steel sheets, and slight- ly corrosive to carbon steel and aluminium sheets.
Disinfection of object surfaces, medical devices, skin and mucosa, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying Single-stranded
quaternary am-
monium salt No — Corrosive to met-
als
Others
Ethylene oxide No Neutral No obvious cor- rosivity
Disinfection of object surfaces, medical devices, skin, hands and mucosa, etc.
Fumigation
Potassium per-
manganate Yes Alkaline Corrosive to met- als
Disinfection of ob- ject surfaces, skin and mucosa, etc.
Immersion Wiping Compound
lysostaphin
disinfectant — — —
Disinfection of object surfaces, medical devices, skin, hands and mucosa, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying Plant extracts
based disinfect-
ant — — —
Disinfection of ob- ject surfaces, air, skin and hands, etc.
Immersion Wiping Spraying
a Alkalinity or acidity refers to that of commonly used disinfectant products.
b Metal corrosivity is usually graded as no obvious corrosion, mild corrosion, moderate corrosion and heavy corrosion;
there is no unified corrosion classification standard for disinfectants so far, which will be developed in the future; in the table, "corrosive to metals" only indicates the existence of metal corrosion, as a warning when using disinfectants; the specific corrosion classification is related to the standards used in the test, the type of metal materials used, test conditions and the basis for evaluation.
Table 1 (continued)